> 1) When I type Expand[(x+1)^2], Mathematica returns 1 +
> 2x + x^2. Can receive the result in the reverse order,
> i.e., x^2 + 2x + 1 ?
Although I have made Mathematica jump through many hoops in 5 years of
programming, the most frustrating failure has been my inability to provide the
option to have polynomials print out in traditional order. I know in principle
how it apparently could be done, but as I have not yet been able to make it
work there is no point in providing any details.
The default sorting in Mathematica is difficult to turn off without side
effects because it is so closely linked with the aggressive evaluation scheme.
Oh sure you can try
Unprotect[Plus]
ClearAttributes[Plus,Orderless]
but that is begging for trouble and I promise you many undesirable side
effects.
I have tried to establish a custom format for printing polynomials, but
whenever I sort the polynomial my way, somehow Mathematica always manages to
resort it in the default order before it appears as output. Very frustrating,
even by Mathematica standards! I haven't given up and someday will take another
crack at it.
Richard Mercer